New Zealand

Earn graduate credit by exploring a vibrant, fascinating culture in a beautiful country!

The New Zealand Comparative Education program at UW-Whitewater is designed to give teachers, school administrators, and other educational professionals an opportunity to explore the culture and educational system in New Zealand. The centerpiece of this 6-credit graduate course is two weeks of observation and participation in a school in New Zealand, where students have the opportunity to live with a host family and learn about New Zealand education and culture first hand. Following the classroom participation students will have opportunities to debrief about their experience and explore Maori culture through a formal seminar and independent travel.

Program ItineraryFor approximately the first two weeks of the program, U.S. teachers will be placed on an individual basis with host teachers in classrooms in New Zealand while at the same time staying as guests in their hosts' homes. Our goal is to match our teachers with hosts based on grade level or content area; however, placements are subject to availability and perfect matches cannot be guaranteed. It is the school and home experience that make this program unique - professional and personal experiences with people in their culture. U.S. teachers have an opportunity to work in Auckland, Whangarei and the Bay of Island area or in the South Island in Dunedin.At the end of the two weeks of fieldwork, the U.S. teachers will come together for an educational seminar at a location in or near the Auckland area. This four-day seminar will include guest presentations on educational practices and culture, a general sharing of readings, fieldwork observations, travel experiences, and a cultural activity.During the third and fourth week of the program, teachers will explore the history and culture of New Zealand on an individual basis or in small groups. The expenses during this week are not covered in the cost of the program.Note that students may extend their travel beyond the official end date of the program at their own cost.

Placements may be available in each of the following areas:

Auckland Area/North Island

AUCKLAND on the North Island of New Zealand sprawls over a narrow isthmus between the sparkling waters of the Waitemata and Manukau Harbours earning the nickname "City of Sails." Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand, has a population of 1.4 million people having close to one-third of New Zealand's total population. A cloak of rainforest covers the surrounding hills, dozens of dormant volcanic cones dot the landscape and enchanting islands are scattered throughout the vast Hauraki Gulf. Auckland's heart beats to a Polynesian rhythm, its people a melting pot of South Pacific and Asian cultures and a strong indigenous Maori heritage. This diversity brings with it an abundance of unique educational experiences including New Zealand's child-centered school system.

Dunedin Area/South Island

DUNEDIN on the South Island of New Zealand stands on the hills and valleys surrounding Otago Harbour and is widely regarded as the best preserved Victorian and Edwardian heritage city in the southern hemisphere. The harbour and hills are the remnants of an extinct volcano. Otago Peninsula is renowned for the world's only mainland albatross breeding colony at Taiaroa Head and various other ocean bird, seal and penguin species, including one of the world's rarest, the yellow-eyed penguin. Dunedin is the second-largest city on the South Island with a population of 125, 000.

Whangarei Area/North Island

WHANGAREI on the North Island of New Zealand has an urban population of 52,000 and is located two hours north of Auckland. It is a developing, modern and vibrant city in the centre of a district of fertile farmlands, orchards, with native and exotic forests. Whangarei is surrounding by a stunning deepwater harbour with some of New Zealand's finest beaches including the sparkling white sands of the Bream Bay or Tutukaka coastlines. The Maori translation of Whangarei is "Bountiful Land."

Paihia - Bay of Islands Area/North Island

The Bay of Islands is four hours north of Auckland. Paihia is the main tourist town in the Bay of Islands and Russell was the first permanent European settlement and sea port in New Zealand. Both are in the far north of the North Island of New Zealand. Paihia and Russell are located close to the historic towns of Waitangi and Kerikeri. The Waitangi treaty grounds are close by as are the Kauri forest, 90 Mile Beach and whale/dolphin watching. The Bay of Islands area is one of the most popular fishing, sailing and tourist destinations in the country, and has been renowned internationally for its big-game fishing since American author Zane Grey publicized it in the 1930s.

Cost: $3675Cost with placement in Dunedin: $4150Fee includes six graduate credits, three seminars, placement fees to in-country liaisons, first night's lodging in Auckland or Dunedin, ground transportation to placement sites, room and board in host homes, a five-day educational seminar including lodging and a cultural experience/activity on New Zealand's North Island and UW System emergency insurance coverage (CISI). Expenses during the week of individual or small group travel are not included.*

Please note that we have not included roundtrip airfare in the cost of the trip. This will allow for greater flexibility for individual travelers and could result in lower airfare costs.